Multi-component golf club head

ABSTRACT

A golf club head having multiple components is provided. The golf club head includes a plurality of components wherein at least one component exhibits a different modulus of elasticity than the other components. In some structures, one or more of the plurality of components that comprise the golf club head is titanium or titanium alloy component provided in the heel and/or toe areas of the club head structure immediately adjacent the ball striking face, wherein that titanium or titanium alloy component has a lower modulus of elasticity than the material making up the club face and/or other club head body components.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to golf clubs and golf club heads. Moreparticularly, aspects of this invention relate to golf club heads (andmethods relating to the same) comprising a component having a lowermodulus of elasticity than other components. The low modulus ofelasticity components are more susceptible to deformation, therebyincreasing the club head coefficient of restitution in certain locationson the ball striking face.

BACKGROUND

Golf is enjoyed by a wide variety of players—players of differentgenders and dramatically different ages and/or skill levels. Golf issomewhat unique in the sporting world in that such diverse collectionsof players can play together in golf events, even in direct competitionwith one another (e.g., using handicapped scoring, different tee boxes,in team formats, etc.), and still enjoy the golf outing or competition.These factors, together with the increased availability of golfprogramming on television (e.g., golf tournaments, golf news, golfhistory, and/or other golf programming) and the rise of well known golfsuperstars, at least in part, have increased golf's popularity in recentyears, both in the United States and across the world.

Golfers at all skill levels seek to improve their performance, lowertheir golf scores, and reach that next performance “level.”Manufacturers of all types of golf equipment have responded to thesedemands, and in recent years, the industry has witnessed dramaticchanges and improvements in golf equipment. For example, a wide range ofdifferent golf ball models now are available, with balls designed tocomplement specific swing speeds and/or other player characteristics orpreferences, e.g., with some balls designed to fly farther and/orstraighter; some designed to provide higher or flatter trajectories;some designed to provide more spin, control, and/or feel (particularlyaround the greens); some designed for faster or slower swing speeds;etc. A host of swing and/or teaching aids also are available on themarket that promise to help lower one's golf scores.

Being the sole instrument that sets a golf ball in motion during play,golf clubs also have been the subject of much technological research andadvancement in recent years. For example, the market has seen dramaticchanges and improvements in putter designs, golf club head designs,shafts, and grips in recent years. Additionally, other technologicaladvancements have been made in an effort to better match the variouselements and/or characteristics of the golf club and characteristics ofa golf ball to a particular user's swing features or characteristics(e.g., club fitting technology, ball launch angle measurementtechnology, ball spin rates, etc.).

Given the recent advances, there is a vast array of golf club componentparts available to the golfer. For example, club heads are produced by awide variety of manufacturers in a variety of different models.Moreover, the individual club head models may include multiplevariations, such as variations in the loft angle, lie angle, offsetfeatures, weighting characteristics (e.g., draw biased club heads, fadebiased club heads, neutrally weighted club heads, etc.), etc. Multipledifferent shafts having differing characteristics, such as stiffness,flex, kickpoint location, etc., also are available. These features givegolfers many golf club characteristics and combinations ofcharacteristics from which to choose when selecting a golf clubstructure that best suits their swing and/or playing style.

In furtherance of improving performance, club designers also haveinvestigated increasing the coefficient of restitution (“COR”) of clubheads. The term “COR” also is referred to in the industry as providing ameasure of the “trampoline effect” exhibited by a golf club face when itcontacts the golf ball. Generally, a COR value provides a measurement ofthe energy transferred from a first object to a second object uponimpact. In golf, COR values may be used to measure the amount of energytransferred from the club to a ball upon impact. COR values aregenerally expressed numerically from 0 to 1, where 0 would indicate thatall energy was lost in the impact, and thus no energy was transferredfrom the golf club to the ball. In contrast, a COR value of 1 wouldindicate that 100% of the energy was transferred from the club to theball on impact. Although other factors may play a role in the overalldistance a golf ball travels as a result of a stroke, in general, thehigher the COR value for the club face, the larger the amount of energytransferred to the ball (as described above), and thus the higher launchvelocity of the ball, which may result in greater distance. The Rules ofGolf currently limited a golf club to having a maximum COR value of0.83.

The “COR” of a golf club face depends on various factors, including, forexample, the location on the face where contact with the ball is made.Generally, the COR of a golf club face is highest at a central portionof the club head face, because this portion of the face tends to be themost deformable and thus exhibits the greatest “trampoline effect.” TheCOR of a club head generally decreases as one moves away from thecentral area of the face, e.g., due to additional stiffness providedbecause of bends in the face structure, the sidewalls, and/or otherstructures located at the sides of the club face.

While advances have been made to increase the coefficient of restitutionof golf club heads, additional improvements in this technological areawould be a welcome advance in the art.

SUMMARY

The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention inorder to provide a basic understanding of the invention and variousfeatures of it. This summary is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention in any way, but it simply provides a general overview andcontext for the more detailed description that follows.

Aspects of the invention relate to golf club heads (e.g., hollow,wood-type golf club heads, such as drivers, fairway woods, wood-typehybrid clubs, etc.) that include a plurality of components wherein atleast one component exhibits a different modulus of elasticity than theother components. In one embodiment, one or more of the plurality ofcomponents that comprise the golf club head is a titanium or a titaniumalloy component. In another embodiment, at least the heel and toe areasof the club head structure that are in proximity to the club face (e.g.,immediately adjacent the face component) comprise a titanium componentthat has a lower modulus of elasticity than at least some of the othermaterials comprising the remainder of the head and/or the othermaterials immediately adjacent the face. In one such embodiment, atleast the toe and/or heel areas proximate to the face comprise aTitanium 15-3-3-3 alloy, while at least some of the other materials ofthe club head comprise metal or metal alloys having a higher modulus ofelasticity than Titanium 15-3-3-3. Using materials exhibiting a lowermodulus of elasticity make these areas more susceptible to deformation,thereby increasing the club head coefficient of restitution at least inthe heel and toe areas of the club head as compared with similar clubhead structures that do not include this lower modulus material (e.g.,the overall surface area of the face that exhibits a high COR responsewill be increased by increasing the COR response of the club head in theheel and toe directions of the club head face).

In still yet further embodiments, a first body portion having arelatively low modulus of elasticity may be positioned to create acircumference proximate to the club face and extending less than apredefined distance toward the rearmost trailing edge or point of thehead at each of the toe area and the heel area (e.g., less than 60% ofthis distance, and in some examples, less than 40% of this distance,less than 25% of this distance, or even less than 15% of this distance).This same first body portion, however, may include a central portionthat extends a different and greater predefined distance toward thetrailing edge or point at the center crown portion of the club faceand/or at the center sole portion of the club face (e.g., at least 40%of this distance, and in some examples, at least 50% of this distance,at least 65% of this distance, at least 75% of this distance, or even atleast 90% of this distance).

Still additional aspects of this invention relate to golf club headshaving: (a) a club face extending from a toe area to a heel area; (b) afirst body portion engaged at the heel area of the club face, whereinthe first body portion extends in a front-to-rear direction at least 10%of an overall club head breadth dimension and less than 60% of theoverall club head breadth dimension, and wherein the first body portionhas a first modulus of elasticity; (c) a second body portion engaged atthe toe area of the club face, wherein the second body portion extendsin the front-to-rear direction at least 10% of the overall club headbreadth dimension and less than 60% of the overall club head breadthdimension, wherein the second body portion has a second modulus ofelasticity that may be the same as or different from the first modulusof elasticity; and (d) a third body portion having a higher modulus ofelasticity than the first and second body portions, wherein the thirdbody portion is engaged with the club face at about a center of the clubface in a heel-to-toe direction and extends away from the club facetoward the rear of the club head. In such structures, the third bodyportion and the club face may surround the first body portion and thesecond body portion.

Yet additional aspects of this invention relate to golf club headshaving: (a) a club face extending from a toe area to a heel area; (b) afirst body portion engaged with a perimeter portion of the club face,wherein the first body portion has a first modulus of elasticity andincludes: (b1) a toe oriented portion that extends in a front-to-reardirection at least 10% of an overall club head breadth dimension andless than 60% of the overall club head breadth dimension, (b2) a heeloriented portion that extends in the front-to-rear direction at least10% of the overall club head breadth dimension and less than 60% of theoverall club head breadth dimension, and (b3) a center crown portionthat extends in the front-to-rear direction at least 40% of the overallclub head breadth dimension; and (c) a second body portion engaged withthe first body portion and extending rearward from at least a portion ofthe first body portion, the second body portion having a higher modulusof elasticity than the first body portion. The first body portion ofsuch club head structures further may include a center sole portion thatextends in the front-to-rear direction at least 40% of the overall clubhead breadth dimension. If desired, the second body portion may beengaged with and extend rearward from the toe oriented portion of thefirst body portion, and the golf club head structure may further includea third body portion engaged with and extending rearward from the heeloriented portion of the first body portion, the second body portionhaving a higher modulus of elasticity than the first body portion,wherein the modulus of elasticity of the second body portion is the sameas or different from the modulus of elasticity of the third bodyportion. In such structures, the center crown portion and the centersole portion of the first body portion may separate the second and thirdbody portions from one another.

Another aspect of the invention relates to methods of producing golfclub heads in accordance with examples of this invention. Such methodsmay include, for example, methods of combining a plurality of structuralcomponents of the golf club head to form the club head (e.g., byconnecting various club head parts together using cements, adhesives,welding, soldering, brazing, mechanical connectors, etc.), whereincertain areas of the club head (e.g., at least the heel area and the toearea) will be more susceptible to deformation due to the presence of therelatively low modulus of elasticity material, thereby increasing theoverall size of the club head ball striking surface that exhibits highcoefficient of restitution characteristics (as compared to similar clubhead structures that do not include the lower modulus of elasticityportions).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention and certainadvantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the followingdetailed description in consideration with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 generally illustrates a frontal view of an exemplary golf clubaccording to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2A shows a frontal perspective view of an example golf headaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B is a top view of the example club head shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a bottom view of the example club head shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D shows a front view of an exemplary golf club head according toembodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 2E and 2F show side perspective views of an example club headaccording to an embodiment of the invention. Specifically, FIG. 2E is aside view of club head showing the toe area in the foreground and FIG.2F is a side view of the same club head showing the heel area in theforeground;

FIG. 3A shows a frontal perspective view of an example golf headaccording to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a top view of the example club head shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the example club head shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D shows a front view of an exemplary golf club head according toembodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 3E and 3F show side perspective views of an example club headaccording to an embodiment of the invention. Specifically, FIG. 3E is aside view of club head showing the toe area in the foreground and FIG.3F is a side view of the same club head showing the heel area in theforeground; and

FIG. 4 is an illustrative aid for describing measurement of improvementof the coefficient of restitution response in club head faces accordingto examples of this invention.

The reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarilydrawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various example structures in accordancewith the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings,which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrationvarious example golf club heads and golf club structures in accordancewith the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that otherspecific arrangements of parts and structures may be utilized, andstructural and functional modifications may be made without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,”“bottom,” “front,” “back,” “rear,” “side,” “underside,” “overhead,” andthe like may be used in this specification to describe various examplefeatures and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as amatter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown inthe figures and/or the orientations in typical use. Nothing in thisspecification should be construed as requiring a specific threedimensional or spatial orientation of structures in order to fall withinthe scope of this invention.

In general, as described above, aspects of this invention relate to golfclub heads and golf clubs made from multiple parts or components.Specific examples of the invention are described in more detail below.The reader should understand that these specific examples are set forthmerely to illustrate examples of the invention, and they should not beconstrued as limiting the invention.

A. EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

1. Exemplary Club Structure

FIG. 1 generally illustrates an exemplary golf club 100 in accordancewith at least some embodiments of the invention. Exemplary club 100includes a club head 102, a connection region 104 that connects the clubhead 102 to a shaft member 106 (which may be releasable in certainembodiments), and a grip member 108 engaged with the shaft member 106.While a hollow, driver/wood-type golf club head 102 is illustrated inFIG. 1, aspects of this invention may be applied to any wood-type clubhead, including, for example: fairway wood club heads; wood type hybridgolf club heads; and the like. Any desired connection between the head102 and shaft 106 may be used without departing from this invention,including cements, adhesives, welds, solders, brazes, mechanicalconnectors (optionally releasable mechanical connectors), etc.,including connection systems and mechanisms that are conventionallyknown and used in the art.

Any desired materials may be used for the shaft member 106, includingsuitable materials that are known and used in the art, such as steel,graphite, polymers, composite materials, combinations of thesematerials, etc. The grip member 108 may be engaged with the shaft member106 in any desired manner, including in any suitable manners that areknown and used in the art (e.g., via cements or adhesives, viamechanical connections, etc.). Any desired materials may be used for thegrip member 108, including suitable materials that are known and used inthe art, such as rubber, polymeric materials, cork, rubber or polymericmaterials with cord or other fabric elements embedded therein, cloth orfabric, tape, etc. Optionally, if desired, the grip member 108 (or anysuitable handle member) may be releasably connected to the shaft member106 using a releasable connection. The club head 102 in accordance withsome examples of this invention now will be described in more detail inconjunction with FIGS. 2A through 3F.

2. Exemplary Club Head

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of an example hollow, wood-type clubhead 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. Exemplary clubhead 200 comprises a club face 205 configured to be the striking surfaceduring contact with a golf ball. As seen in FIG. 2A, the club face 205is disposed on the front end (facing toward the viewer and angled to theright of FIG. 2A) and generally extends from the heel area 210 to thetoe area 215 of the club 200. While the club face 205 is shown asuniform in this figure, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat the club face 205 may be shaped or sloped along one or more axes(e.g., exhibiting bulge and/or roll characteristics) and may furthercomprise other features, such as grooves or scorelines, over at least aportion of the surface, e.g., for increasing ball spin upon impact. Theclub head face 205 may be in the form of a “cup-shaped” face member,including a ball striking surface 205 a and a “return portion” 205 bextending rearward from the perimeter of the ball striking face surface205 a. The return portion 205 b may extend rearward any desireddistance, e.g., from 0.1 to 2.5 inches, and in some example structures,from 0.25 to 1.5 inches.

FIGS. 2B and 2C show top and bottom views, respectively, of the exampleclub head 200 of FIG. 2A. Club head 200 comprises a first body portion220 located proximate to the club face 205 at each of the heel area 210and the toe area 215 of club 200. The first body portion 220 mayconstitute one or more independent parts or areas, or if desired, it mayconstitute a single continuous region (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3A-3F anddescribed in more detail below). Additionally, the first body portions220 may extend rearward from the face 205 (dimension “A” in FIG. 2B) adistance of at least about 10% of the distance from the club face 205 toa rearmost trailing edge 225 or a rearmost location of the club head 200(dimension “B” in FIG. 2B) at each of the heel area 210 and the toe area215. In some example structures, the first body portions 220 may extendrearward from the face 205 a distance of at least 20%, or even at least25%, 30%, or 40% of the distance from the club face 205 to the trailingedge or location (but, in at least some embodiments, these body portions220 will extend no more than 60% of this distance). In other embodimentsof the invention, the largest dimension of the first body portions 220in the front-to-rear direction (dimension “A” in FIG. 2B) may constituteat least 10%, or even at least 20%, 25%, 30% or 40% of the largestoverall front-to-rear dimension of the club (dimension “C” in FIG. 2B),but, in at least some embodiments, the largest front-to-rear dimensionof the first body portions 220 will extend no more than 60% of thelargest overall front-to-rear dimension of the club (dimension “C” inFIG. 2B). These dimensions may be determined with the club oriented atits intended ball address position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2B).

As seen in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the distance that the first body portion 220extends toward the trailing edge 225 may vary along the heel-to-toedirection of the first body portion 220. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 2B and 2C, the distance that the first body portion 220 extendstoward the trailing edge 225 may decline when approaching thelongitudinal center of the club face 205 (for example, as shown by thecurved edges 222 of portions 220 in FIGS. 2B and 2C). Looking to theexample embodiment illustrated in these figures, the distance that thefirst body portion 220 extends toward the trailing edge 225 is thegreatest at the extreme heel and toe areas 210, 215 and graduallydeclines to become non-existent before reaching the center of the clubhead 200 on both the top (see FIG. 2B) and bottom (see FIG. 2C) of theclub head 200. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that theslope or rate at which the distance that the first body portion 220extends toward the trailing edge 225 declines (hereinafter “rate ofdecline”) may vary depending upon specific embodiments. Furthermore,additional embodiments may utilize a different rate of decline for thetop and/or the bottom of the club, such that the curved edges 222 of oneof the top or the bottom of the club face has a different rate ofdecline from the other. In yet still further embodiments, the rate ofdecline may be less than shown in FIGS. 2A-2C and 2E-2F, such that thefirst body portion 220 contacts the club face 205 at about the center ofthe club face 205, albeit the distance that the first body portion 220extends toward the trailing edge 225 at the center will be less than atthe toe and the heel areas 210, 215. The rates of decline need not bethe same in the heel area 210 and the toe area 215 of a given club headstructure (i.e., the first body portion 220 in the heel area 210 may beshaped differently from the first body portion 220 in the toe area 215).The edges 222 may be straight, curved, or shaped in any desiredconfiguration. Also, if desired, the material of the first body portion220 in the heel area 210 may be different from the material of the firstbody portion 220 in the toe area 215 (although both may have a lowermodulus of elasticity compared to the second body portion 230, as willbe described in more detail below).

The first body portions 220 comprise at least one material that differsfrom the materials comprising club face 205, such that the first bodyportion 220 has a different modulus of elasticity than the club face205. In one embodiment, the first body portion 220 is a first titaniumcomponent. As used herein, the term “titanium component” is to encompassone or more titanium metals and/or alloys that are suited for inclusionwithin the structure of a club head disclosed herein, including at leastclub head 200 and club head 300 (discussed in more detail below).Titanium components may be the same as titanium metal and titanium alloymaterials as are conventionally known and used in the golf club headart. In one embodiment, where the first body portion 220 is a firsttitanium component, the first titanium component may be a Titanium15-3-3-3 alloy (commercially available from ATI Allvac, Monroe, N.C.).As used herein, “Titanium 15-3-3-3” refers to titanium alloys having thegeneral chemical formula:

Element % by Weight Aluminum 2.5-3.5% Carbon 0.05% maximum Chromium2.5-3.5% Hydrogen 2 0.015% maximum Iron 0.25% maximum Nitrogen 0.05%maximum Oxygen 0.13 maximum Tin 2.5-3.5% Vanadium 14-16% TitaniumBalance

Titanium 15-3-3-3 may have a modulus of elasticity (“E”) of about 13.5lbs-in²×10⁶. As used in this specification, the term “minor amounts”means less than 0.5% by weight.

As further seen in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the golf club head 200 furthercomprises a second body portion 230. The second body portion 230 in thisexample structure 200 is located proximate to the club face 205 at aboutthe longitudinal (heel-to-toe) center of the club face crown and extendsaway from the club face 205 toward the trailing edge 225 of the clubhead 200. The second body portion 230 in this example structure 200comprises materials that allow the second body portion 230 to have ahigher modulus of elasticity than that of the first body portion 220. Byconstructing the second body portion 230 of materials exhibiting ahigher modulus of elasticity than the materials comprising the firstbody portion 220, the first body portion 220 is more susceptible todeformation when compared to the second body portion 230, therebyincreasing the area of the club head face 205 that exhibits an increasein coefficient of restitution. In other words, making the toe area 215and heel area 210 of the club head more susceptible to deformation viamaterial 220 will increase the trampoline effect exhibited by the facewhen a ball strike is located off center and toward the heel or toe.(The coefficient of restitution of the club head 200 will be discussedin more detail below). The higher modulus of elasticity component 230provides a solid base that better resists deformation and supportscomponents 220 and their deformation. In one embodiment, the modulus ofelasticity of the second body portion 230 may be at least about 5%greater, and in some examples, at least about 10%, at least about 20%greater, and even at least about 30% greater than the modulus ofelasticity of the first body portion 220. In other embodiments, thedifferences between the modulus of elasticity of the first body portion220 and the second body portion 230 may be within the ranges of about:5-30%, 7-25%, and 8-20% (i.e., the first body portion 220's modulus ofelasticity will be from 5-30% lower than the second body portion 230'smodulus of elasticity, and in some examples, 7-25% lower or even 8-20%lower).

In one embodiment, the second body portion 230 comprises a secondtitanium component. In one such embodiment, the second body portion 230comprises Titanium KS120 (e.g., an α-type titanium material commerciallyavailable from Kobe Steel, Tokyo, Japan). In one example structure 200where the first body portion 220 comprises a titanium component and thesecond body portion 230 further comprises a titanium component that hasa higher modulus of elasticity than the first body portion 220, thefirst body portion 220 may comprise Titanium 15-3-3-3 and the secondbody portion 230 may comprise Titanium KS120. In yet another embodiment,the second body portion 230 comprises steel or other material.Regardless of the specific compositions of the first body portion 220and the second body portion 230, the second body portion 230 of thisexample structure 200 will exhibit a higher modulus of elasticity thanthe first body portion 220. The exact thickness of the first bodyportion 220 and second body portion 230 will vary depending on thematerials utilized in accordance with different embodiments. In oneembodiment, the first body portion 220 and the second body portion 230will be between about 0.4 mm to about 2.0 mm thick. Other ranges ofthicknesses may include: about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm, and about 0.5 toabout 1.2 mm. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art uponreview of this disclosure, other dimensions would fall within the scopeof the claims and the dimensions above are merely examples todemonstrate various embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, otherportions of the club head structure may have thicknesses within thethickness ranges recited above, including the crown, heel, toe, andsole.

As shown in FIG. 2D, the configuration, placement and interaction amongthe club face 205, the first body portion 220 and the second bodyportion 230 will provide a club head 200 having a club face 205 with ahigher coefficient of restitution in the regions toward the toe area 215and the heel area 210 as compared with similar club head structures madewithout the first body portions 220 (e.g., similar club structures thatinclude the high modulus of elasticity material 230 at the locations ofthe first body portions 220). As seen in FIG. 2D, axis 235 is positionedat about a longitudinal center of the club face 205 in the heel-to-toedirection. Imaginary arrow 240 extends away from the axis 235 towardboth the heel area 210 and the toe area 215 of the club head 200 alongaxis 245. While the highest coefficient of restitution for this clubhead may remain at the central area of the face 205 (e.g., at about theintersection of axes 235 and 245), the increased deformability in theheel area and the toe area (due to low modulus of elasticity regions220) expands the area of the club face 205 in which higher coefficientsof restitution may be exhibited (i.e., the coefficient of restitutionexhibited toward the heel and toe areas may be somewhat higher ascompared to the coefficient of restitution for similar club heads inwhich material 220 is replaced with a higher modulus of elasticitymaterial, such as material 230). In other words, aspects of thisstructure according to the invention will tend to expand the area of theclub head's “sweet spot” in at least the heel-to-toe direction. Also,varying the thickness of the face 205 at various locations can be usedto locally alter and control the club face COR characteristics. Uponreview of this disclosure, those skilled in the art will readilyunderstand that the configuration, placement and interaction amongvarious club components may be altered to allow the adjustment of thecoefficient of restitution along one or more axis in addition to theaxis 245. For example, in one embodiment as will be described in moredetail below, the coefficient of restitution may be increased along axis235.

In yet another embodiment, the dimensions of one or more components,such as the return portion 205 b of club face 205, may vary at differentlocations. FIGS. 2E and 2F show side perspective views of an exampleclub head 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. Specifically,FIG. 2E is a side view of club head 200 showing the toe area in theforeground. FIG. 2F is a side view of the same club head 200 showing theheel area in the foreground. As seen in the circled areas 250, thereturn portion 205 b of the club face 205 is not uniform. For example,in the embodiments shown in area 250, the return portion 205 b of theclub face 205 extends rearward a greater distance at the center of theclub face than at the heel area 210 and/or and toe area 215.

As also shown in FIGS. 2E and 2F, the return portion 205 b along thesides of this example club face 205 is curved so that the relatively lowmodulus of elasticity material in portion 220 extends forward and veryclose to the front of the ball striking face 205 a. This feature, ineffect, replaces a portion of the relatively deformation resistantmaterial of the return portion 205 b of the ball striking face 205 withthe relatively deformable material of portion 220 in both the heel andtoe areas. This feature further increases the susceptibility of theoverall golf club face to deformation (and thus increases the areahaving an improved COR response, as described above). As furtherillustrated in FIG. 2C, the portion 220 may extend very close to theball striking surface 205 a (regions 220 a) in both the lower toe regionand the lower heel region, which further has the effect of increasingthe susceptibility to deformation and increasing the COR response of theclub head away from the center.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the club head 200may comprise body portions in addition to the one or more first bodyportions 220 and the second body portions 230 (which also may be madefrom one or multiple independent parts or pieces), such as a third bodyportion, a fourth body portion, etc. For example, the exemplary clubhead 200 shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2E, and 2F comprises a third bodyportion 260 that is located along the top of the club head 200 along thetrailing edge 225. In certain embodiments, one or more additional bodyportions, such as the third body portion 260, may comprise materialexhibiting a higher modulus of elasticity than the first body portion220. In one such embodiment, the one or more additional body portionscomprise one or more titanium components. In those embodiments where thethird body portion 260 comprises a titanium component, the titaniumcomponent may be different than the titanium component of the secondbody portion 230. If desired, the third body portion 260 may be made ofa more dense material or may be formed to include one or more weightmembers (optionally, selectively removable or adjustable weightmembers), so that additional weighting is applied to the rear portion ofthe club head structure (and optionally outward toward the heel and/ortoe sides of the club head 200). This third body portion 260 may be usedby club designers, if desired, to control the final weightingcharacteristics of the club head, e.g., to heel weight the club or totoe weight the club, to thereby provide a draw-biased club, a fadebiased club, or other club weighting features.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an example hollow, wood-type club head300 according to a further embodiment of the invention. Exemplary clubhead 300 comprises a club face 305, which in some embodiments, issimilar to club face 205. As seen in FIG. 3A, the club face 305 isdisposed on a front end (facing toward the right and at the direction ofthe viewer) and generally extends from the heel area 310 to the toe area315 of the club head 300. While the club face 305 is shown as uniform,those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the club face 305may be shaped or sloped in one or more directions (e.g., having roll orbulge characteristics) and may further comprise other features, such asgrooves or scorelines over at least some portion of its surface, e.g.,for increasing ball spin upon impact. The face member 305 may constitutea cup-shaped face member including a ball striking surface 305 a and areturn portion 305 b extending rearward from the ball striking surface305 a.

Club head 300 comprises a first body portion 320 proximate to the clubface 305 extending at least 10% and less than 60% (dimension “A” in FIG.3B) of the distance from the club face 305 toward a trailing edge 325 ofthe head (dimension “C” in FIG. 3B) at each of the heel area 310 and thetoe area 315. The first body portion 320 proximate the club face 305 andat the center and crown of the club face 305 (dimension “B” in FIG. 3B)further may extend at least 40% of the distance to the trailing edge atthe center of the club face 305 (dimension “C” in FIG. 3B). If desired,the center sole portion of the club head may include an elongated fingerof the material of the first portion 320 (e.g., to appear the same as orsimilar to the center crown body portion's extended finger), asillustrated in FIG. 3C. In some examples, dimension A may constitute atleast 20%, at least 25%, at least 30% or at least 40% of dimension C,and dimension B may constitute at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 85%,or even 100% of dimension C. Dimension B will generally be greater thanDimension A. In other embodiments of the invention, the largestdimension of the first body portion 320 in the front-to-rear directionat the heel and toe areas of the club head (dimension “A” in FIG. 3B)may constitute at least 20%, or even at least 25%, 30% or 40% of thelargest overall front-to-rear dimension of the club (dimension “D” inFIG. 3B), but, in at least some embodiments, the largest front-to-reardimension of the first body portion in the heel and toe areas (dimension“A”) will extend no more than 60% of the largest overall front-to-reardimension of the club (dimension “D”). In some embodiments, the largestdimension of the first body portion 320 in the front-to-rear directionat the central area of the club head (dimension “B” in FIG. 3B) mayconstitute at least 60%, or even at least 75%, 85% or 95% of the largestoverall front-to-rear dimension of the club (dimension “D” in FIG. 3B).These dimensions may be determined with the club oriented at itsintended ball address position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3B).

The first body portion 320 comprises at least one material that differsfrom the materials comprising club face 305. As explained below, thefirst body portion 320 is constructed of materials that are moresusceptible to deformation when compared to at least some of theremaining club portions, thereby increasing the area of the club headthat exhibits an increased coefficient of restitution (the coefficientof restitution of the club head 300 will be discussed in more detailbelow in relation to FIG. 3D). In one embodiment, the first body portion320 is a first titanium component, such as Titanium 15-3-3-3, asdescribed above.

As best seen in FIGS. 3B and 3C, club head 300 further includes a secondbody portion 330 proximate to the first body portion 320 at the toe area315 of the club head 300 that extends toward the trailing edge 325 andtoward the center of the club head 300. The composition of the secondbody portion 330 has a higher modulus of elasticity than the compositionof the first body portion 320, thus making the second body portion 330generally less susceptible to deformation than the first body portion320. In one embodiment, the second body portion 330 comprises a secondtitanium component, such as Titanium KS120, as described above. In oneembodiment, where the first body portion 320 comprises a titaniumcomponent and the second body portion 330 further comprises a titaniumcomponent, the first body component 320 may comprise Titanium 15-3-3-3and the second body component 330 may comprise Titanium KS120.

As further shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the club head 300 further comprisesa third body portion 332 located proximate to the first body portion 320at the heel area 310 of the club head 300 that extends toward thetrailing edge 325 and toward the center of the club head 300. This thirdbody portion 332 also has a higher modulus of elasticity than the firstbody portion 320. In one embodiment, the third body portion 332comprises substantially the same structural materials as the second bodyportion 330, such that the second and third body portions 330, 332 havethe same modulus of elasticity. In certain embodiments, both the secondand third body components 330, 332 comprise titanium components, such asTitanium KS120, as described above. Regardless of the composition of thesecond or third body portions 330, 332, in at least some examplestructures according to this invention, both the second and third bodyportions 330, 332 will exhibit a higher modulus of elasticity than thefirst body portion 320.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3D, the configuration, placement andinteraction among the club face 305, the first body portion 320, thesecond body portion 330, and the third body portion 332 will provide aclub head 300 having a club face 305 having a higher coefficient ofrestitution in the regions along a longitudinal center of the club face305, for example along axis 335, as compared to the coefficient ofrestitution of club heads of similar structure in which portion 320 isreplaced with a material having a higher modulus of elasticity, likethat in portions 330 and/or 332. The coefficient of restitution of theclub face 305 along axis 345 in this example structure, however, will beat least higher than a club head without the first body portion 320along the heel and toe areas 310, 315 due to the proximity of the firstbody portion 320 to the club face 305 in the heel and toe areas 310, 315(e.g., as described above in conjunction with the embodiment of FIGS. 2Athrough 2F). Notably, in this example structure, low modulus ofelasticity portion 320 constitutes a perimeter member that engages anentire perimeter of the face member 305 (although, if desired, portion320 need not completely surround the perimeter of the face member 305).

As discussed in relation to FIGS. 2E and 2F, the dimensions of one ormore components of the club head structure may vary at differentlocations on the club head structure. For example, if desired, thedimensions of the return portion 305 b of the club head face 305 in thefront-to-rear direction may vary around the perimeter of the club face305. Furthermore, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art,the club head 300 may comprise additional body portions in addition tothe first, second and third body portions 320, 330, 332 discussed above.For example, the exemplary club head 300 shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3E and3F comprises a fourth body portion 360 that is located along the top ofthe club head 300 along the trailing edge 325. In certain embodiments,one or more additional body portions, such as the fourth body portion360, may comprise material exhibiting a higher modulus of elasticitythan the first body portion 320. In one such embodiment, the one or moreadditional body portions comprise one or more titanium components. Yetin further embodiments where the fourth body portion 360 comprises atitanium component, that titanium component may be different than thetitanium component of the second and the third body portions 330, 332.In certain embodiments, the fourth body portion 360 comprisescommercially pure titanium. As noted above in conjunction with component260 in FIG. 2A, portion 360 also may constitute a weight or a weightbearing member, e.g., a member that allows a club designer to alter andcontrol the weighting characteristics of the club.

3. Exemplary Methods

Another aspect of this invention relates to methods of producing golfclub heads in accordance with examples of this invention (e.g., of thetypes described above). Such methods may include, for example, methodsof joining a plurality of structural components of the golf club head toform the club head. In one embodiment, the method comprises theattaching of a first body portion, 220, 320 of the club head to at leasta portion of a club face 205, 305 that extends from a heel area to a toearea, for example, to the return portions 205 b and 305 b of thecup-type club faces 205, 305, shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, respectively.The method may further comprise attaching a second body portion, such aselements 230, 330, and/or 332 of FIGS. 2B and 3B, to the first bodyportion 220, 320. This second body portion may be arranged to engage thefirst body portion and/or the club face and extend away from the clubface 205, 305 toward a trailing edge or point 225, 325 of the club head200, 300. This second body portion 230, 330, 332 will have a highermodulus of elasticity than the first body portion 220, 320. While anydesired method of joining the various club head components may be usedwithout departing from this invention, in at least some examples, thecomponent parts will be joined together by cements, adhesives, welding,soldering, brazing, mechanical connectors (optionally releasablemechanical connectors), and the like. The various component parts may bejoined in manners that are conventional and known in the art.

In one exemplary method, the first body portion may constitute multipleparts, e.g., that resemble elements 220 of FIGS. 2A-2C and therefore maybe attached proximate to the club face 205 at each of the heel area 210and the toe area 215. These elements 220 may extend at least about 10%of the distance from the club face 205 toward the trailing edge 225 ofthe club head 205. The second body portion 230 may be attached so as tobe located proximate to the club face 205 at the about a longitudinalcenter of the club face 205, and it may extend away from the club face205 toward the trailing edge 225 of the club head 200.

In yet another method, the first body portion may constitute a singlepart, e.g., that resembles element 320 of FIGS. 3A-3C. This part 320creates a circumference of material proximate to the club face 305 andextending less than 60% of the distance to a trailing edge 325 of theclub head 300 at each of the toe area 315 and the heel area 310, andfurther at least 60% of the distance to a trailing edge 325 at thecenter of the club face 305.

Upon review of this disclosure, those skilled in the art will realizethat obvious variations may be introduced into the above methods, suchas adjusting the amount, type, shape, and/or combination of materialsand attachments that may be utilized to manufacture golf club heads thatfall within the scope of the invention.

4. COR Measurements

FIG. 4 is an illustrative aid to help explain the improvement in CORacross a club head face 400 in accordance with at least some examples ofthe invention. As noted above, in general, at least for a face having auniform thickness, the highest COR on a golf club face 400 will tend tobe at or near the geometrical center of the club head face 400 (e.g., ator near central point 402 in this illustrated example). The COR tends todecease as one moves away from the central point 402 toward the edges ofthe club head face 400 (e.g., due to the additional support provided bythe side structures of the club head, by the stiffening propertiesprovided as a result of bends provided in the club face (e.g., the bendsfrom the ball striking face surface to the return portion of a cup-typeclub face, etc.), etc.). The COR profile of a face and the COR valuesalso may be affected by varying the thickness of the ball striking face.In accordance with the example club head structure 200 illustrated inFIGS. 2A through 2F, the extreme side portions of the toe area 215 andthe heel area 210 are made from a material having a lower modulus ofelasticity (materials 220) as compared to the material of the face 205and/or the material of a majority of the body portion (e.g., portion230). This lower modulus of elasticity portion 220 is more susceptibleto deformation, particularly above a predetermined club head/golf ballcollision velocity (e.g., greater than 90 mph). This deformationincreases the COR response of the golf club head face when contact witha golf ball is located in a direction away from the geometrical centerof the face 402 and toward the heel or toe areas of the club head face(e.g., as the contact point moves away from the center of the face 402in a horizontal direction in FIG. 4). In effect, the lower modulus ofelasticity portions have the effect of expanding the “sweet spot” of theclub face in the heel and toe directions and providing an improved CORresponse on off center hits.

In accordance with the example club head structure 300 illustrated inFIGS. 3A through 3F, the entire perimeter around the club head face 305is made from a material having a lower modulus of elasticity (material320) as compared to the material of the face 305 and/or the material ofa majority of the club head body (e.g., portion 330 and/or 332). Thislower modulus of elasticity portion 320 is more susceptible todeformation, particularly above a predetermined club head/golf ballcollision velocity (e.g., greater than 90 mph). As noted above withregard to the structure of FIGS. 2A through 2F, this deformationincreases the COR response of a golf club head face when contact with agolf ball is located in a direction away from the geometrical center ofthe face 402 and toward the heel or toe areas of the club head face(e.g., as the contact point moves away from the center of the face 402in a horizontal direction in FIG. 4). Additionally, because of thepresence of the relatively low modulus material 320 adjacent the extremetop and bottom portions of the club head face 305, this deformationincreases the COR response of a golf club face when contact with a golfball is located in a direction away from the geometrical center of theface 402 and toward the crown or sole areas of the club head face (e.g.,as the contact point moves away from the center of the face 402 in avertical direction in FIG. 4). In effect, aspects of this inventionincrease the COR response of a golf club face on off center hits ascompared with the COR response of a similar structured golf club head inwhich the low modulus of elasticity material is replaced with a highermodulus of elasticity material (e.g., the material of the club head faceand/or the material of some of the other body portions of the club head,such as portions 230, 330, and/or 332 described above). In bothillustrated embodiments, improvements in the COR response also will berealized in areas away from the center of the club face and between thehorizontal and vertical directions extending from this center location(e.g., in the various quadrants 404(a) through 404(d) of the club faceshown in FIG. 4). COR response for purposes of this invention may bemeasured under the conditions prescribed by the United States GolfAssociation for testing golf club heads for compliance with the CORstandards.

As noted above, in accordance with this invention, the COR response of agolf club head is measured and compared against the COR response of agolf club head having the same structure but in which the low modulus ofelasticity material of the club head body portions at the heel and toeareas (e.g., portions 220) and/or the low modulus of elasticity materialof the club face perimeter portion (e.g., portion 320) is replaced witha higher modulus of elasticity material (e.g., the material of the clubhead face, the material of other body portions (such as portions 230,330, and/or 332) etc.

In accordance with at least some examples of this invention, pointslocated ½ inch from the geometrical center of the club head face towardthe heel or toe of the club head (e.g., along a horizontal line from thegeometric center) will have at least a 5% improved COR value for theinventive club heads as compared to the comparative club heads (asdescribed above). As additional examples, points located ½ inch from thegeometrical center of the club head face toward the heel or toe of theclub head (e.g., along a horizontal line from the geometric center) willhave at least a 10% improved COR value, or even at least a 15% improvedCOR value, for the inventive club heads as compared to the comparativeclub heads. In accordance with at least some additional examples of thisinvention, points located 1 inch from the geometrical center of the clubhead face toward the heel or toe of the club head (e.g., along ahorizontal line from the geometric center) will have at least a 5%improved COR value for the inventive club heads as compared to thecomparative club heads, and as additional examples, points located 1inch from the geometrical center of the club head face toward the heelor toe of the club head (e.g., along a horizontal line from thegeometric center) will have at least a 10% improved COR value, or evenat least a 15% improved COR value, for the inventive club heads ascompared to the comparative club heads. In accordance with at least someadditional examples of this invention, points located 1½ inches from thegeometrical center of the club head face toward the heel or toe of theclub head (e.g., along a horizontal line from the geometric center) willhave at least a 5% improved COR value for the inventive club heads ascompared to the comparative club heads, and as additional examples,points located 1½ inch from the geometrical center of the club head facetoward the heel or toe of the club head (e.g., along a horizontal linefrom the geometric center) will have at least a 10% improved COR value,or even at least a 15% or at least a 20% improved COR value, for theinventive club heads as compared to the comparative club heads. Inaccordance with still some additional examples of this invention, pointslocated 2 inches from the geometrical center of the club head facetoward the heel or toe of the club head (e.g., along a horizontal linefrom the geometric center) will have at least a 5% improved COR valuefor the inventive club heads as compared to the comparative club heads,and as additional examples, points located 2 inches from the geometricalcenter of the club head face toward the heel or toe of the club head(e.g., along a horizontal line from the geometric center) will have atleast a 10% improved COR value, or even at least a 15% or at least a 20%improved COR value, for the inventive club heads as compared to thecomparative club heads.

In accordance with still at least some additional examples of thisinvention, points located ½ inch from the geometrical center of the clubhead face toward the crown or sole of the club head (e.g., along avertical line from the geometric center) will have at least a 5%improved COR value for the inventive club heads as compared to thecomparative club heads. As additional examples, points located ½ inchfrom the geometrical center of the club head face toward the crown orsole of the club head (e.g., along a vertical line from the geometriccenter) will have at least a 10% improved COR value, or even at least a15% improved COR value, for the inventive club heads as compared to thecomparative club heads. In accordance with at least some additionalexamples of this invention, points located 1 inch from the geometricalcenter of the club head face toward the crown or sole of the club head(e.g., along a vertical line from the geometric center) will have atleast a 5% improved COR value for the inventive club heads as comparedto the comparative club heads, and as additional examples, pointslocated 1 inch from the geometrical center of the club head face towardthe crown or sole of the club head (e.g., along a vertical line from thegeometric center) will have at least a 10% improved COR value, or evenat least a 15% improved COR value, for the inventive club heads ascompared to the comparative club heads.

5. Additional Potential Features

While the invention has been described in terms of specific examples,those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications canbe made to the structures and methods described herein without departingfrom this invention. For example, if desired, the face member (e.g.,members 205 and 305) may have variable face thicknesses, for example,including raised or thickened rear surfaces, e.g., in the centralportion of the face, to help further control the stiffness orflexibility of the face (and to help control the COR response of theface). As another example, if desired, the low modulus of elasticityregion may be provided only in the toe portion of the club head or onlyin the heel portion of the club head. Also, while the illustrated clubheads generally have a squared shape or footprint, those skilled in theart will recognize that aspects of this invention may be practiced withwood-type club structures have any desired shape, including any known orconventional shapes that are used in the art.

While any specific dimensions, characteristics, and/or ranges ofdimensions and characteristics may be used for a given club headstructure (such as the ranges described in U.S. Published Patent Appln.No. 2005-0239576 A1 published Oct. 27, 2005), those skilled in the artwill recognize that these dimensions and ranges are simply examples thatmay be used in at least some example club head structures of theinvention. Many variations in the ranges and the specific dimensions andcharacteristics may be used without departing from this invention, e.g.,depending on the type of club, user preferences, user swingcharacteristics, and the like, and these features may be controlleddepending on the characteristics of the body member(s) attached to theface member. For example, various dimensions and/or characteristics maybe used (such as various loft angles, face angles, head weights, lieangles, center of gravity angles, inset distances, lengths, breadths,heights, face thicknesses, crown thicknesses, sole thicknesses, bodymember thicknesses, hosel diameters, volumes, bulge radii, roll radii,body densities, etc.), e.g., depending on whether the golf club head isa driver, a 2-wood, a 3-wood, a 4-wood, a 5-wood, a 7-wood, a 9-wood, awood-type hybrid club, etc. Also, various dimensions and/orcharacteristics may be provided to suit a user's preferences and/orswing characteristics; to provide the desired launch angle, carrydistance, and/or other characteristics for the club; etc. Additionally,various different shaft characteristics (such as stiffness, flex point,kick point, etc.) may be used to further allow change and control overthe club's and the club head's feel and characteristics.

Golf club heads in accordance with examples of this invention may usethe club head design and/or geometry to produce other desired club headcharacteristics. For example, in some club head structures in accordancewith this invention, the body of the club head will be designed suchthat the club head will have a larger head and/or face length (e.g.,heel-to-toe, dimension “L” in FIG. 2B) relative to the club head's depthor breadth (e.g., front-to-back, dimension “B” in FIG. 2B) and a“squared” structure, which results in a club head that is moretorsionally stable (i.e., more resistant to twisting), thereby producinga more consistent, reliable, and/or straight golf ball flight. Golf clubheads and golf clubs in accordance with at least some of these exampleaspects of the invention may include a body member sized so as toprovide a club head body having an overall club head length dimension Lof at least 4.5 inches, at least 4.6 inches, at least 4.7 inches, atleast 4.8 inches, or even at least 4.9 inches, and a ratio of an overallclub head breadth dimension to the overall club head length dimension(B/L) of 0.9 or more and 1 or less. Club heads in accordance with atleast some examples of this invention may have a ratio of club headbreadth to club head length of at least 0.94, at least 0.95, at least0.96, at least 0.97, or even at least 0.98. Club heads in accordancewith at least some examples of this invention also may have some or allof the characteristics described in U.S. Published Patent Appln. No.2007/0298903, filed on Jun. 22, 2006 in the name of John Thomas Stites,et al., which document is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

In golf club heads in accordance with at least some examples of thisinvention, the body member may be sized such that the overall club headbreadth B dimension may be at least 4.2 inches, at least 4.3 inches, atleast 4.4 inches, at least 4.5 inches, at least 4.6 inches, at least 4.7inches, at least 4.8 inches, or even at least 4.9 inches. As with theexamples described above, the club head body according to at least someexamples of this aspect of the invention may be dimensioned such thatthe overall club head length dimension L is at least 4.7 inches, atleast 4.8 inches, or even at least 4.9 inches, and/or such that theoverall club head body size is 500 cm³ or less, 470 cm³ or less, or even460 cm³ or less. In some examples, the interchangeable body member willbe sized and shaped such that the overall club head body size or volumewill be at least 350 cc, at least 400 cc, at least 420 cc, or even atleast 450 cc.

CONCLUSION

While the invention has been described in detail in terms of specificexamples including presently preferred modes of carrying out theinvention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there arenumerous variations and permutations of the above described systems andmethods. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construedbroadly as set forth in the appended claims.

1. A golf club head comprising: a club face extending from a toe area toa heel area; a first body portion creating a circumference proximate tothe club face and extending less than 40% of a distance from the clubface to a rear of the head at each of the toe area and the heel area,the first body portion further extending at least 60% of a distance fromthe club face to the rear of the head at a center crown portion of theclub face between the heel area and the toe area; a second body portionproximate to the first body portion at the toe area of the club headthat extends toward the rear of the club head and toward the centercrown portion of the club head, wherein the second body portion has ahigher modulus of elasticity than the first body portion; and a thirdbody portion proximate to the first body portion at the heel area of theclub head that extends toward the rear and the center crown portion ofthe club head, wherein the third body portion has a higher modulus ofelasticity that the first body portion.
 2. The club head of claim 1,wherein the first body portion comprises a first titanium component. 3.The club head of claim 2, wherein the first titanium component is atitanium alloy that contains, by weight, from 2.5 to 3.5% aluminum; from2.5 to 3.5% chromium; from 2.5-3.5% tin; from 14-16% aluminum;optionally minor amounts of hydrogen, iron, nitrogen, oxygen, orimpurities; and the balance titanium.
 4. The club head of claim 3,wherein the second body portion is a second titanium component thatdiffers from the first titanium component.
 5. The club head of claim 4,wherein the second titanium component comprises KS120.
 6. The club headof claim 1, wherein the second body portion and the third body portionhave the same modulus of elasticity.
 7. The club head of claim 3,wherein the second body portion and third body portion are made ofKS120.
 8. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising: a fourthbody portion that has a higher modulus of elasticity than the first bodyportion.
 9. The club head of claim 1, further comprising: a fourth bodyportion engaged with the second body portion and the third body portionand located along the rear of the golf club head.
 10. A golf club headcomprising: a club face extending from a toe area to a heel area; afirst body portion engaged at the heel area of the club face, whereinthe first body portion extends in a front-to-rear direction at least 10%of an overall club head breadth dimension and less than 60% of theoverall club head breadth dimension, and wherein the first body portionhas a first modulus of elasticity; a second body portion engaged at thetoe area of the club face, wherein the second body portion extends inthe front-to-rear direction at least 10% of the overall club headbreadth dimension and less than 60% of the overall club head breadthdimension, wherein the second body portion has a second modulus ofelasticity that may be the same as or different from the first modulusof elasticity; and a third body portion having a higher modulus ofelasticity than the first and second body portions, wherein the thirdbody portion is engaged with the club face at about a center of the clubface in a heel-to-toe direction and extends away from the club facetoward the rear of the club head.
 11. A golf club head according toclaim 10, wherein the third body portion and the club face surround thefirst body portion and the second body portion.
 12. A golf club headaccording to claim 10, wherein the first body portion extends in thefront-to-rear direction at least 25% of the overall club head breadthdimension, and wherein the second body portion extends in thefront-to-rear direction at least 25% of the overall club head breadthdimension.
 13. A golf club head comprising: a club face extending from atoe area to a heel area; a first body portion engaged with a perimeterportion of the club face, wherein the first body portion has a firstmodulus of elasticity and includes: a toe oriented portion that extendsin a front-to-rear direction at least 10% of an overall club headbreadth dimension and less than 60% of the overall club head breadthdimension, a heel oriented portion that extends in the front-to-reardirection at least 10% of the overall club head breadth dimension andless than 60% of the overall club head breadth dimension, and a centercrown portion that extends in the front-to-rear direction at least 40%of the overall club head breadth dimension; and a second body portionengaged with the first body portion and extending rearward from at leasta portion of the first body portion, the second body portion having ahigher modulus of elasticity than the first body portion.
 14. A golfclub head according to claim 13, wherein the first body portion furtherincludes a center sole portion that extends in the front-to-reardirection at least 40% of the overall club head breadth dimension.
 15. Agolf club head according to claim 14, wherein the second body portion isengaged with and extends rearward from the toe oriented portion of thefirst body portion, and wherein the golf club head further comprises: athird body portion engaged with and extending rearward from the heeloriented portion of the first body portion, the second body portionhaving a higher modulus of elasticity than the first body portion,wherein the modulus of elasticity of the second body portion is the sameas or different from the modulus of elasticity of the third bodyportion.
 16. A golf club head according to claim 15, wherein the centercrown portion and the center sole portion of the first body portionseparate the second and third body portions from one another.
 17. A golfclub head comprising: a face component including a ball striking faceextending between a toe end and a heel end of the golf club head; and aclub head body extending rearward from the face component, wherein theclub head body includes: a toe body portion adjacent the toe end of theface component, wherein the toe body portion has a first modulus ofelasticity, a heel body portion adjacent the heel end of the facecomponent, wherein the heel body portion has a second modulus ofelasticity, and a major body portion including one or more portionsextending rearward from the toe body portion and the heel body portion,wherein the major body portion has a third modulus of elasticity that isgreater than the first modulus of elasticity and the second modulus ofelasticity, wherein the golf club head has a COR response at a locationspaced horizontally one-half inch from a geometric center of the facecomponent that is higher than a COR response at a location spacedhorizontally one-half inch from the geometric center of a face componentof a similarly structured golf club head in which the toe body portionand the heel body portion are replaced with corresponding body portionsmade of a material having the third modulus of elasticity or higher,wherein the COR responses are measured under standard USGA testingconditions.
 18. A golf club head comprising: a face component includinga ball striking face extending between a toe end and a heel end of thegolf club head; and a club head body extending rearward from the facecomponent, wherein the club head body includes: a toe body portionadjacent the toe end of the face component, wherein the toe body portionhas a first modulus of elasticity, a heel body portion adjacent the heelend of the face component, wherein the heel body portion has a secondmodulus of elasticity, and a major body portion including one or moreportions extending rearward from the toe body portion and the heel bodyportion, wherein the major body portion has a third modulus ofelasticity that is greater than the first modulus of elasticity and thesecond modulus of elasticity, wherein the golf club head has a CORresponse at a location spaced horizontally one inch from a geometriccenter of the face component that is higher than a COR response at alocation spaced horizontally one inch from the geometric center of aface component of a similarly structured golf club head in which the toebody portion and the heel body portion are replaced with correspondingbody portions made of a material having the third modulus of elasticityor higher, wherein the COR responses are measured under standard USGAtesting conditions.
 19. A golf club head comprising: a face componentincluding a ball striking face extending between a toe end and a heelend of the golf club head; and a club head body extending rearward fromthe face component, wherein the club head body includes: a toe bodyportion adjacent the toe end of the face component, wherein the toe bodyportion has a first modulus of elasticity, a heel body portion adjacentthe heel end of the face component, wherein the heel body portion has asecond modulus of elasticity, and a major body portion including one ormore portions extending rearward from the toe body portion and the heelbody portion, wherein the major body portion has a third modulus ofelasticity that is greater than the first modulus of elasticity and thesecond modulus of elasticity, wherein the golf club head has a CORresponse at a location spaced horizontally 1½ inches from a geometriccenter of the face component that is higher than a COR response at alocation spaced horizontally 1½ inch from the geometric center of a facecomponent of a similarly structured golf club head in which the toe bodyportion and the heel body portion are replaced with corresponding bodyportions made of a material having the third modulus of elasticity orhigher, wherein the COR responses are measured under standard USGAtesting conditions.
 20. A golf club head comprising: a face componentincluding a ball striking face extending between a toe end and a heelend of the golf club head; and a club head body extending rearward fromthe face component, wherein the club head body includes: a toe bodyportion adjacent the toe end of the face component, wherein the toe bodyportion has a first modulus of elasticity, a heel body portion adjacentthe heel end of the face component, wherein the heel body portion has asecond modulus of elasticity, a crown body portion adjacent an upperpart of the face component and extending between the toe body portionand the heel body portion, wherein the crown body portion has a thirdmodulus of elasticity, and a major body portion including one or moreportions extending rearward from the toe body portion and the heel bodyportion, wherein the major body portion has a fourth modulus ofelasticity that is greater than the first modulus of elasticity, thesecond modulus of elasticity, and the third modulus of elasticitywherein the golf club head has a COR response at a location spacedvertically one-half inch from a geometric center of the face componentthat is higher than a COR response at a location spaced verticallyone-half inch from the geometric center of a face component of asimilarly structured golf club head in which the toe body portion, theheel body portion, and the crown body portion are replaced withcorresponding body portions made of a material having the fourth modulusof elasticity or higher, wherein the COR responses are measured understandard USGA testing conditions.
 21. A golf club head comprising: aface component including a ball striking face extending between a toeend and a heel end of the golf club head; and a club head body extendingrearward from the face component, wherein the club head body includes: atoe body portion adjacent the toe end of the face component, wherein thetoe body portion has a first modulus of elasticity, a heel body portionadjacent the heel end of the face component, wherein the heel bodyportion has a second modulus of elasticity, a crown body portionadjacent an upper part of the face component and extending between thetoe body portion and the heel body portion, wherein the crown bodyportion has a third modulus of elasticity, and a major body portionincluding one or more portions extending rearward from the toe bodyportion and the heel body portion, wherein the major body portion has afourth modulus of elasticity that is greater than the first modulus ofelasticity, the second modulus of elasticity, and the third modulus ofelasticity wherein the golf club head has a COR response at a locationspaced vertically one inch from a geometric center of the face componentthat is higher than a COR response at a location spaced vertically oneinch from the geometric center of a face component of a similarlystructured golf club head in which the toe body portion, the heel bodyportion, and the crown body portion are replaced with corresponding bodyportions made of a material having the fourth modulus of elasticity orhigher, wherein the COR responses are measured under standard USGAtesting conditions.